An investigation of the influence of central Italian folk music on composers' use of bassoon in select symphonic and large chamber works of the nineteenth century

Abstract:

This study has investigated the influence of Central Italian folk music in select
compositions of Ottorino Respighi, Peter Tchaikovsky, Felix Mendelssohn, and Jean
Sibelius. Through the titles of these pieces, one can infer that they were influenced by the
composer living in Italy, or visiting, on holiday. This study also includes a brief history of
the serenade, from the traditional Italian folk practice to Antonín Dvořák’s treatment of
the more modern 19th-century genre. A review of the evolution of the state of
ethnomusicology in Italy, including discussion of art and folk-music instruments, poetry,
carnevale, and processions within the region of Italy is included. Further, I provide
information on tonal and instrumental characteristics and specific folk dances to aid in
the investigation of the treatment of folk melodies within 19th-century pieces. The result
of this research not only provides a more accurate interpretation of stylistic issues when
19th-century works containing Italian folk-music attributes are performed, but also the
knowledge that the title of a piece does not necessarily indicate a musical significance.
Some works exhibit a direct musical influence while others are “Italian” in name only.